Femto cell signaling gating

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

0001This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/175,293 filed on Jul. 17, 2008 entitled, “FEMTO CELL SIGNALING GATING,” which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/051,273 filed on May 7, 2008, entitled “SIGNALING-TRIGGERED POWER ADJUSTMENT IN A FEMTO CELL,” and U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/052,813 filed on May 13, 2008, entitled “MANAGEMENT OF ACCESS TO FEMTO CELL COVERAGE.” The entireties of these applications are incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

0002The subject innovation relates to wireless communications and, more particularly, to managing femto cell signaling by activating/deactivating in a scheduled and synchronized manner for at least mitigation of interference and mobility improvement(s).

BACKGROUND

0003Femto cells—building-based wireless access points interfaced with a wired broadband network—are generally deployed to improve indoor wireless coverage, and to offload a mobility radio access network (RAN) operated by a wireless service provider. Improved indoor coverage includes stronger signal and improved reception (e.g., voice or sound), ease of session or call initiation, and session or call retention as well. Offloading a RAN reduces operational and transport costs for the service provider since a lesser number of end users utilizes over-the-air radio resources (e.g., radio frequency channels), which are typically limited.

0004Coverage of a femto cell, or femto access point (AP), is generally intended to be confined within the bounds of an indoor compound (e.g., a residential or commercial building) in order to mitigate interference among mobile stations covered by a macro cell and terminals covered by the femto AP. Additionally, confined coverage can reduce cross-talk among terminals serviced by disparate, neighboring femto cells as well. Femto cells typically operate in licensed portions of the electromagnetic spectrum, and generally offer plug-and-play installation; e.g., automatic configuration of femto AP subsequent to femto cell subscriber registration with a service provider. Coverage improvements via femto cells can also mitigate customer attrition as long as a favorable subscriber perception regarding voice coverage and other data services with substantive delay sensitivity is attained. In addition, a richer variety of wireless voice and data services can be offered to customers via a femto cell since such service offerings do not rely primarily on mobility RAN resources.

0005Regardless the foregoing advantages provided by femto cells, typical operational designs of a femto cell access points generally lead to the following issues. (i) Unnecessary interference to femto cell subscribers in surrounding femto cells, and macro network end users as well, with ensuing reduction in overall network capacity; (ii) unnecessary signaling with nearby handsets unsuccessfully attempting to attach to femto access point(s), which results in a reduction of mobile station battery life; and (iii) additional complexity associated with macro-to-femto handover process.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

0006<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> a schematic deployment of a macro cell and a femto cell for wireless coverage in accordance with aspects described herein.

0007<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 2A and 2B</figref> are a block diagram of an example system to generate a pilot signaling power profile and an illustrative example signaling power profile, respectively, in accordance with aspects disclosed herein.

0008<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> illustrates mitigation of unnecessary attachment to a femto cell facilitated by gated pilot signaling in accordance with aspects described in the subject specification.

0009<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref> illustrates utilization of transmitter power gating for macro cell to femto cell handover in accordance with aspects described herein.

0010<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref> is a block diagram of an example system that facilitates provision of a schedule plan for a gated pilot signal in a femto cell.

0011<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref> presents a flowchart of an example methodology for activating and deactivating signaling of a femto cell according to aspects disclosed herein.

0012<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref> presents a flowchart of an example methodology for generating a pilot signal power profile according to aspects described in the subject specification.

0013<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8</figref> is a flowchart of an example methodology for adjusting a pilot signal power profile in response to mobility attachment data according to aspects described herein.

0014<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9</figref> is a flowchart of an example methodology for generating a schedule plan for pilot gating in response to mobility attachment data according to aspects described in the subject innovation.

0015<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10</figref> presents a flowchart of an example methodology for resolving macro-to-femto handover of a subscriber station through pilot gating reuse according to aspects described herein.

0016<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 11</figref> illustrates an example wireless communication environment <b>1100</b>, with associated components for operation of a femto cell in accordance with aspects described herein.

0017<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 12</figref> illustrates a block diagram of an example embodiment of a femto access point that can transmit pilot signal(s) in accordance with aspects described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

0018The subject innovation provides system(s) and method(s) for managing signaling in a femto cell access point. A pilot signal power profile, or pilot signal gating, determines transmitted a time-dependent pilot signal power. The power profile displays a duty cycle well below 100% and a power depth, which is the amplitude between maximum and minimum pilot signal power, determined partially upon radio link conditions. Reduced duty cycle has various advantages when compared to a typical “always on” femto cell design, e.g., femto transmitter conveys substantial power even when an intended coverage area is unoccupied by an authorized subscriber: Activating/deactivating pilot signal in the scheduled and synchronized manner provided in the subject innovation leads to macro-femto interference mitigation and mobility improvement(s), and improved battery life of wireless devices that operate in a wireless environment that includes femto cells.

0019The time-dependent power profile can be established through a schedule based at least in part on attachment data or subscriber input; machine-learning method facilitate inferring the schedule. In an aspect, a learned schedule that configures a femto cell transmitter to a duty cycle of 100% shortly before an authorized subscriber enters the femto cell coverage area can substantially mitigate delayed femto access for a first subscriber to attach to the AP. Subscriber input can supplement, or complement, learned pilot gating schedules.

0020Pilot signal gating profile can be reused in a femto cell deployment to broaden femto cell identification (ID) and thus facilitate macro-to-femto handover. Cell ID for femto cells that share a common identifier such as a synchronization scrambling code can be distinguished by a pilot gating phase, e.g., the time-dependent pilot power profile. Such distinction, in combination with an available access list for a femto cell access point can facilitate macro-to-femto handover—particularly in scenarios with high-density deployments of femto cells.

0021Aspects, features, or advantages of the subject innovation can be exploited in substantially any wireless communication technology; e.g., Wi-Fi, Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX), Enhanced General Packet Radio Service (Enhanced GPRS), Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) Long Term Evolution (LTE), Third Generation Partnership Project 2 (3GPP2) Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB), High Speed Packet Access (HSPA), or Zigbee. Additionally, substantially all aspects of the subject innovation can be exploited in legacy telecommunication technologies.

0022To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, the invention, then, comprises the features hereinafter fully described. The following description and the annexed drawings set forth in detail certain illustrative aspects of the invention. However, these aspects are indicative of but a few of the various ways in which the principles of the invention may be employed. Other aspects, advantages and novel features of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when considered in conjunction with the drawings.

0023The subject innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It may be evident, however, that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate describing the present invention.

0024As used in this application, the terms “component,” “system,” “platform,” “service,” “framework,” “interface,” “connector,” and the like are intended to refer to a computer-related entity or an entity related to an operational machine with one or more specific functionalities. The entities disclosed herein can be either hardware, a combination of hardware and software, software, or software in execution. For example, a component may be, but is not limited to being, a process running on a processor, a processor, an object, an executable, a thread of execution, a program, and/or a computer. By way of illustration, both an application running on a server and the server can be a component. One or more components may reside within a process and/or thread of execution and a component may be localized on one computer and/or distributed between two or more computers. Also, these components can execute from various computer readable media having various data structures stored thereon. The components may communicate via local and/or remote processes such as in accordance with a signal having one or more data packets (e.g., data from one component interacting with another component in a local system, distributed system, and/or across a network such as the Internet with other systems via the signal).

0025In addition, the term “or” is intended to mean an inclusive “or” rather than an exclusive “or.” That is, unless specified otherwise, or clear from context, “X employs A or B” is intended to mean any of the natural inclusive permutations. That is, if X employs A; X employs B; or X employs both A and B, then “X employs A or B” is satisfied under any of the foregoing instances. Moreover, articles “a” and “an” as used in the subject specification and annexed drawings should generally be construed to mean “one or more” unless specified otherwise or clear from context to be directed to a singular form.

0026Moreover, terms like “user equipment,” “mobile station,” “mobile,” subscriber station,” “access terminal,” “terminal,” “handset,” and similar terminology, refer to a wireless device utilized by a subscriber or user of a wireless communication service to receive or convey data, control, voice, video, sound, gaming, or substantially any data-stream or signaling-stream. The foregoing terms are utilized interchangeably in the subject specification and related drawings. Likewise, the terms “access point,” “base station,” “Node B,” “evolved Node B,” “home Node B (HNB),” and the like, are utilized interchangeably in the subject application, and refer to a wireless network component or appliance that serves and receives data, control, voice, video, sound, gaming, or substantially any data-stream or signaling-stream from a set of subscriber stations. Data and signaling streams can be packetized or frame-based flows.

0027Furthermore, the terms “user,” “subscriber,” “customer,” “consumer,” “prosumer,” “agent,” and the like are employed interchangeably throughout the subject specification, unless context warrants particular distinction(s) among the terms. It should be appreciated that such terms can refer to human entities or automated components supported through artificial intelligence (e.g., a capacity to make inference based on complex mathematical formalisms) which can provide simulated vision, sound recognition and so forth. As utilized herein, the term “prosumer” indicate the following contractions: professional-consumer and producer-consumer.

0028In addition, the terms “wireless network” and “network” are used interchangeable in the subject application, when context wherein the term is utilized warrants distinction for clarity purposes such distinction is made explicit. Likewise, the terms “femto cell access point” and “femto access point” are also utilized interchangeably.

0029Referring to the drawings, <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> illustrates a schematic wireless environment (e.g., a network) <b>100</b> in which a femto cell can exploit various aspects described in the subject specification. In wireless environment <b>100</b>, area <b>105</b> represents a coverage macro cell which is served by base station <b>110</b>. It should be appreciated that macro cell <b>105</b> is illustrated as a hexagon; however, macro cell(s) can adopt other geometries generally dictated by the deployment or floor plan, geographic areas to be covered, and so on. Macro coverage is generally intended for outdoors locations for servicing mobile wireless devices, like UE <b>120</b>_A, and such coverage is achieved via an over-the-air wireless link <b>115</b>. The wireless link <b>115</b> comprises a downlink (DL) and an uplink (UL), and utilizes a predetermined band of the radio frequency (RF) spectrum. In an aspect, UE <b>120</b> can be a Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS) mobile phone.

0030Within macro coverage cell <b>105</b>, a femto cell <b>145</b>, served by a femto access point <b>130</b>, can be deployed. While in illustrative wireless environment <b>100</b> a single femto cell appears deployed within the macro cell, a substantive (e.g., 10³-10⁶) number of femto AP <b>130</b> can be deployed. A femto cell typically covers an area <b>125</b> that is determined, at least in part, by transmission power allocated to femto AP <b>130</b>, path loss, shadowing, and so forth. It should be appreciated that while coverage area <b>125</b> and confined area <b>145</b> typically coincide, in certain deployment scenarios, coverage area <b>125</b> can include an outdoor portion (e.g., a parking lot, a patio deck, a recreation area such as a swimming pool and nearby space) while are <b>145</b> span an enclosed living space. Coverage area typically is spanned by a coverage radius that ranges from 20 to 100 meters. Confined coverage area <b>145</b> is generally associated with an indoor area, or a building, like a residential (e.g., a house, a condo, an apartment complex) or small business (e.g., a library, a hospital, a retail store) setting which can span about 5000 sq. ft. Femto AP <b>130</b> typically services a few wireless devices (e.g., subscriber station <b>120</b>_B) within confined coverage area <b>145</b>. In an aspect, femto AP <b>130</b> can integrate seamlessly with substantially any packet switched (PS)-based and circuit switched (CS)-based network; for instance, femto AP <b>130</b> can integrate into an existing 3GPP Core Network via conventional interfaces like Iu-CS, Iu-PS, Gi, Gn. Thus, operation with a 3GPP wireless device or user equipment with a 3GPP subscriber identity module (SIM) card is substantially straightforward with femto AP <b>130</b>, and seamless when handoff to macro cell, or vice versa, takes place. It is to be noted that substantially all voice or data active sessions associated with users within femto cell coverage (e.g., area <b>125</b>) are terminated once the femto AP <b>130</b> is shut down; in case of data sessions, data can be recovered at least in part through a buffer associated with a femto gateway at the network. Coverage of a suspended or hotlined subscriber station or associated account can be blocked over the air-interface. However, if a suspended or hotlined customer who owns femto AP <b>130</b> is in Hotline/Suspend status, there is no substantive impact to the customers covered through femto AP <b>130</b>. In another aspect, femto AP <b>130</b> can exploit high-speed downlink packet access in order to accomplish substantive bitrates. In yet another aspect, femto AP <b>130</b> has a LAC (location area code) and RAC (routing area code) that is different from the underlying macro network. These LAC and RAC are used to identify subscriber station location for a variety of reasons, most notably to direct incoming voice and data traffic to appropriate paging transmitters.

0031As a subscriber station (e.g., UE <b>120</b>_A) that exploits macro coverage (e.g., cell <b>105</b>) enters femto coverage (e.g., area <b>125</b>), the subscriber station (e.g., UE <b>120</b>_A) attempts to attach to the femto AP <b>130</b> through transmission and reception of attachment signaling. The signaling is effected via a FL/RL <b>135</b>; in an aspect of the subject innovation, the attachment signaling can include a Location Area Update (LAU) and/or Routing Area Update (RAU). Attachment attempts are a part of procedures to ensure mobility, so voice calls and data sessions can continue even after a macro-to-femto transition or vice versa. It is to be noted that UE <b>120</b>_Acan be employed seamlessly after either of the foregoing transitions. In addition, femto networks typically are designed to serve stationary or slow-moving traffic with reduced signaling loads compared to macro networks. A femto service provider (e.g., an entity that commercializes, deploys, or utilizes femto access point <b>130</b>) is therefore inclined to minimize unnecessary LAU/RAU signaling activity at substantially any opportunity to do so, and through substantially any available means. It is to be noted that substantially any mitigation of unnecessary attachment signaling/control is advantageous for femto cell operation. Conversely, if not successful, UE <b>120</b>_Ais generally commanded (through a variety of communication means) to select another LAC/RAC or enter “emergency calls only” mode. It is to be appreciated that this attempt and handling process can occupy significant UE battery, and femto AP capacity and signaling resources (e.g., communication of pilot sequences) as well.

0032When an attachment attempt is successful, UE <b>120</b>_Ais allowed on femto cell <b>125</b>, and incoming voice and data traffic are paged and routed to the subscriber through the femto AP <b>130</b>. To facilitate voice and data routing, and control signaling as well, successful attachment can be recorded in a memory register, e.g., a Visitor Location Register (VLR), or substantially any data structure stored in a network memory. It is to be noted also that packet communication (e.g., voice and data traffic, and signaling) typically paged/routed through a backhaul broadband wired network backbone <b>140</b> (e.g., optical fiber backbone, twisted-pair line, T1/E1 phone line, digital subscriber line (DSL) either synchronous or asynchronous, an asymmetric DSL, a coaxial cable . . . ). To this end, femto AP <b>130</b> is typically connected to the broadband backhaul network backbone <b>140</b> via a broadband modem (not shown). Through backhaul pipe <b>140</b>, femto AP <b>130</b> can handle substantially any quality of service (QoS) for heterogeneous packetized traffic (e.g., various, multiple packet flows). In an aspect of the subject innovation, femto AP <b>130</b> can display status indicators for power, active broadband/DSL connection, and gateway connection. In another aspect, no landline is necessary for femto AP <b>130</b> operation.

0033<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 2A and 2B</figref> are, respectively, a block diagram of an example system <b>200</b> to generate a pilot signaling power profile and an illustrative example signaling power profile <b>250</b>, respectively. In example system <b>200</b>, a pilot gating platform <b>210</b> generates a pilot signal power profile <b>230</b> which can be utilized to gate, or drive, the power of femto access point (e.g., femto AP <b>130</b>) transmitter. In an aspect of the subject innovation, pilot gating platform can reside within a network management component (e.g., a radio network controller (RNC) in UMTS network(s), a gateway support node . . . ).

0034To generate pilot power profile <b>230</b>, pilot gating platform <b>210</b> includes a schedule component <b>212</b>, which is functionally coupled to a tracking component <b>214</b>. Tracking component <b>214</b> can monitor the presence of a subscriber station (e.g., UE <b>120</b>_A) attached to femto access point <b>240</b>. As an example, in a Universal Mobile Telecommunication Service (UMTS) wireless network, tracking component <b>214</b> checks successful Location Area Update (LAU) activity which typically includes request(s)/grant(s) exchanges, when a Visitor Location Register (VLR) for a Location area Code (LAC) associated with femto AP <b>240</b> contains a subscriber station (e.g., UE <b>120</b>A or UE <b>120</b>B), a successful attachment has occurred. It should be noted that VLR is updated each time a subscriber station successfully attaches to femto AP <b>240</b> or detaches from femto AP <b>240</b> and attaches to macro cell, e.g., served by Node B <b>110</b>. It should be appreciated that other storage component(s) or register(s), such as attachment data <b>226</b> in memory <b>218</b>, can be utilized to retain and update UE attachment information. When femto AP <b>240</b> VLR includes active subscribers, power of pilot signal (which is also referred as femto AP pilot throughout the subject specification; a term suitable for UMTS network(s)) of femto AP <b>240</b> transmitter is set to a substantial magnitude, e.g., P_MAX, and remains at such value for substantially 100% of the femto AP <b>240</b> operational time. It should be appreciated that deactivation of AP pilot power can lead to unnecessary detachment of subscriber station from femto AP <b>240</b>, and (re)attachment to macro cell.

0035Therefore, pilot gating platform <b>210</b>, through tracking component <b>214</b>, can generate a dynamic pilot signal power profile <b>230</b> in response to attachment conditions in femto AP <b>240</b>. It should be appreciated that such a dynamic pilot signal power profile <b>230</b> can posses a duty cycle of substantially 100% (e.g., “busy” period) after a first subscriber station attaches to femto AP <b>240</b>. The busy period can ensure incoming pages, call attempts, and data exchanges can continue after the first (authorized) subscriber station successfully attaches. In an aspect, the first subscriber station that attaches can be a mobile authorized for coverage (see below) through femto AP <b>240</b>. The substantially 100% duty cycle of pilot signal power profile <b>230</b> remains until subscriber station detaches from femto AP <b>240</b>. After such event, the pilot gating platform <b>210</b> can substantially accurately assume that substantially no page delivery events or support call setup attempts occur when no mobile is attached to femto AP <b>240</b>; thus, pilot signal duty cycle can be adjusted to a level substantially below 100%. It is to be noted that pilot signal is to be ON, or at P_MAXor a substantive fraction thereof, while subscriber station signaling (e.g., attachment/detachment procedure or LAU/RAU) is in progress.

0036In an aspect of the subject innovation, schedule component <b>212</b> can generate a pilot gating schedule plan, whereby pilot gating platform <b>210</b> provide a pilot signal power profile <b>230</b> in accordance with attachment activity history. Thus, pilot gating component <b>210</b> schedule pilot signal gating for low duty cycle when service provided by femto AP <b>240</b> is the least utilized by subscriber(s), or high duty cycle (e.g., up to 100%) when femto cell service utilization is substantive. To generate a schedule plan, schedule component <b>212</b> can exploit attachment data <b>226</b> associated with a set of femto cell APs operated by a service provider. As an example, attachment data <b>226</b> includes LAU activity history, which can be collected by tracking component <b>214</b>. Such historic data can be utilized to identify time intervals when a femto AP (e.g., femto AP <b>240</b>) is highly likely to serve successfully attached (authorized) subscriber(s). These time intervals warrant a high duty cycle for pilot signal power profile <b>230</b> in order to minimize time to camp within femto AP <b>240</b> coverage (e.g., area <b>145</b>).

0037It is to be noted that attachment data <b>226</b> also includes unsuccessful attachment attempts or LAU success ratio, e.g., macro-to-femto handover attempts from unauthorized subscribers, or failed attachment attempts that result from a prior pilot signal power profile <b>230</b> unsuitable to a new set of conditions in femto AP <b>240</b>. For instance, new pilot gating conditions can arise upon a new device is authorized to exploit femto cell service(s); a subscriber that manages femto AP <b>240</b> contract a new service; a new access profile is established in view of temporary authorized subscribers like out-of-town family members on vacation, etc. Time intervals associated with failed attachment attempts warrant low pilot signal power duty cycle to mitigate passersby to detect and attempt attachment to femto AP <b>240</b> that is substantially unlikely to succeed. A generated schedule plan can be stored in memory <b>218</b> as gating schedule(s) <b>222</b>. At least three advantages of scheduled pilot signal gating, e.g., a scheduled pilot signal power profile <b>230</b>) are the following. (i) Mitigation of macro-femto interference; (ii) battery life improvement of wireless devices served by macro and femto cells while fast femto AP camping is maintained when substantially needed; and (iii) adjustment of pilot power profile ON/nearly-OFF edges in accordance to physical occupation of femto cell coverage area (e.g., area <b>145</b>).

0038Gating schedule(s) <b>222</b> can also be based at least in part on a cell ID code (e.g., a scrambling code) reuse distance, or visitation history. With respect to visitation history, schedule component <b>212</b> can synchronize pilot signal gating schedules <b>222</b> according to visitation pattern of a subscriber. For instance, a transmitter of a home-based femto AP can be powered down shortly after a subscriber leaves the household, and a business-based AP associated with the subscriber workplace can increase transmitter power slightly before an expected, or typical, arrival time of the subscriber. It should be appreciated that such synchronization can be refined by exploiting location services that can provide an expected subscriber's arrival time.

0039In an aspect of the subject innovation, schedule component <b>212</b> can utilize artificial intelligence (AI) methods to infer (e.g., reason and draw a conclusion based upon a set of metrics, arguments, or known outcomes in controlled scenarios) suitable gating schedules(s) <b>222</b> for sets of (10³-10⁶) femto cells. Artificial intelligence techniques typically apply advanced mathematical algorithms—e.g., decision trees, neural networks, regression analysis, principal component analysis (PCA) for feature and pattern extraction, cluster analysis, genetic algorithm, and reinforced learning—to historic attachment data <b>226</b> and substantially any other data associated with service provision through femto cell.

0040In particular, schedule component <b>212</b> can employ one of numerous methodologies for learning from data and then drawing inferences from the models so constructed, e.g., Hidden Markov Models (HMMs) and related prototypical dependency models. General probabilistic graphical models, such as Dempster-Shafer networks and Bayesian networks like those created by structure search using a Bayesian model score or approximation can also be utilized. In addition, linear classifiers, such as support vector machines (SVMs), non-linear classifiers like methods referred to as “neural network” methodologies, fuzzy logic methodologies can also be employed. Moreover, game theoretic models (e.g., game trees, game matrices, pure and mixed strategies, utility algorithms, Nash equilibria, evolutionary game theory, etc.) and other approaches that perform data fusion, etc., can be exploited in accordance with implementing various automated aspects described herein. The foregoing methods can be applied to analysis of attachment data <b>226</b> to extract patterns of femto cell usage.

0041In addition, pilot gating platform <b>210</b> comprises a reuse planning component <b>216</b> which can access memory <b>218</b>. To provide optimal pilot signal gating reuse, reuse planning component <b>216</b> can exploit historic data such as attachment data <b>226</b> retained in memory <b>218</b>, and existing gating schedule(s) <b>222</b> as well. In addition, reuse planning component <b>216</b> can also utilize artificial intelligent methods substantially similar to those employed by scheduled component <b>212</b>.

0042In an aspect, pilot gating reuse plan can be phased based at least in part on inter-femto cell distance. For instance, pilot gating platform <b>210</b> through reuse planning component <b>216</b> can maximize a distance between femto APs (e.g., femto AP <b>240</b>) that share a LAC, a cell identification code (e.g., scrambling codes (SCs) or a combination thereof), or a pilot signal power profile reuse. Through suitable pilot gating reuse planning, which can be facilitated by artificial intelligence, a subscriber station within a defined area (e.g., the footprint of a macro Node B neighbor) can detect same LAC and SC from disparate femto APs, yet not at same time(s). The latter can improve macro-to-femto handover as discussed below.

0043Memory <b>218</b> can store various algorithms or procedures, code instructions, data structures like objects, classes and modules, etc., which facilitate at least in part the functionality of pilot gating platform <b>210</b>.

0044With respect to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2B</figref>, signaling power profile <b>250</b> displays a non-periodic duty cycle at a maximum power P_MAX<b>255</b>. In accordance with example power profile <b>250</b>, femto AP (e.g., AP <b>130</b>) transmitter power is lowered to a minimum power P_MIN<b>265</b>, which can be null, e.g., “OFF.” Values of P_MAX<b>255</b> and P_MIN<b>265</b> can be based on various aspects of macro and femto cell wireless communication such as radio link quality, Node B and home Node B deployments, licensed and unlicensed radio resources available to service provider, and so forth. It is to be noted that at least one advantage of having a finite P_MIN<b>265</b> is that a subscriber unit (e.g., UE <b>120</b>_A) can attach substantially quickly to femto AP (e.g., AP <b>130</b>) when in close proximity to the femto AP transmitter. The latter can offset at least in part access control time delay(s) associated with an “ON/OFF” pilot gating profile. It should be appreciated that time to acquire and complete LAU, or substantially any other attachment procedure is longer when pilot signal gating is ON in a duty cycle lesser than 100%. Establishment of P_MIN<b>265</b> rather than an OFF condition for pilot signal power can facilitate unauthorized subscriber stations to camp in femto AP <b>240</b> and to operate in “emergency call only” mode of operation; the latter of particular relevance in femto coverage areas, e.g., area <b>145</b> with unavailable macro coverage.

0045It should be noted that signaling power is ramped-up with a slope <b>275</b>_u, and ramped-down with a slope <b>275</b>_Drather than switching power up and/or down substantially instantaneously; e.g., “ON/OFF” profile. It is to be noted that transmitter power gating can create a variable interference environment for which these network(s) and UE substantially constantly adjust. Such interference environment can originate from the femto AP reuse of frequencies from macro network(s) and creation of interference among a femto cell and macro network(s) and subscriber(s) (e.g., UE <b>120</b>_Awhen served by macro Node B <b>110</b>). In an aspect, schedule component <b>275</b> determines slopes <b>275</b>_Uand <b>275</b>_Dthat are sufficiently steep to provide adequate pilot gating and yet sufficiently slow to afford power control compensation by interfered macro network(s). It should be appreciated that certain legacy macro technologies (e.g., GSM) have slower power control mechanisms to compensate for changes in the received signal quality detected by a mobile station when compared to modern telecommunication technologies. Accordingly, such legacy technologies can fail to respond to drastic interference changes caused by rapid gating of femto AP transmitter power, and thus can benefit from gradually ramped-up and ramped-down pilot gating. An artificial intelligence component (not shown) can conduct various analyses like utility analysis and exploit disparate methods (see above) to determined optimal values of P_MIN<b>265</b>, and slopes <b>275</b>_Dand <b>275</b>_U.

0046<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> illustrates mitigation of unnecessary attachment facilitated by gated pilot signaling. Diagram <b>300</b> presents an example femto AP transmitter power profile wherein power is periodically, with period Δτ <b>305</b>, increased from a minimum value P_MIN<b>315</b> to a maximum value P_MAX<b>325</b>. In illustrative power profile example 300, duty cycle is 33% with 17% ramp-up/down cycle.

0047Femto cell (e.g., femto AP <b>130</b>) transmitter power P_MAXand P_MINdetermine coverage range. Diagrams <b>330</b> and <b>360</b> illustrates, respectively, a coverage area <b>335</b> afforded in a duty cycle (e.g., when pilot power is at P_MAX<b>325</b>) of pilot power profile <b>300</b>, and a coverage area <b>365</b> associated with P_MIN<b>315</b>. With respect to example scenario depicted in diagram <b>330</b>, a mobile station <b>120</b>_Acan attempt attachment to femto AP <b>130</b>, via FL/RL <b>135</b>, when the mobile station enters coverage area <b>335</b>. For mobile stations like UE <b>120</b>A that fail to be part of an authorized set (e.g., “whitelisted;” see below) of devices that can be served by femto AP <b>130</b>, such attachment attempt and associated signaling load (e.g., LAU/RAU procedure) is unwarranted. Thus, for unauthorized devices, femto AP <b>130</b> interferes with macro network (e.g., Node B <b>110</b>) and leads to excessive utilization of mobile's battery. It should be appreciated that attachment attempt by UE <b>120</b>_Acan be carried upon in either (a) idle mode, e.g., when UE <b>120</b>_Ascans for available channels for communication or conveys pilot signal(s) for location based services, or (b) in a call or data session. In an aspect, attachment attempt of “passerby” UE <b>120</b>_Aon a call or data session can be an attempt to handover from macro cell to femto cell to offload the macro network. It should be further appreciated that passerby UE <b>120</b>_Acan attempt attachment during the entire duty cycle of a pilot gating profile (e.g., power profile <b>300</b>).

0048As depicted in diagram <b>330</b>, nearly-OFF power cycle mitigates unnecessary attachment, or “passerby” effect. For example, when femto AP <b>130</b> transmitter is nearly-OFF, femto coverage shrinks to area <b>365</b>, a UE <b>120</b>_Ais less likely to detect and attempt to attach to femto AP <b>130</b> with gated pilots in nearly-OFF, idle mode when the mobile passes by the femto cell. It should be appreciated that when UE <b>120</b>_Amoves throughout macro cell there is a low probability for the UE <b>120</b>_Ato incur a second, third, and so forth, measurement of pilot signaling from AP <b>130</b> while femto transmitter is nearly-OFF or ON. Therefore, nearly-OFF period(s) in a pilot gating profile leads to reduced probability attachment (e.g., LAU procedure(s)) attempt by outdoor end users and battery life preservation of their wireless devices. Attachment probability is reduced to approximately the duty cycle (e.g., 33% in example power gating profile <b>300</b>).

0049Conversely, it is to be noted that a quasi-stationary (indoor) wireless device <b>120</b>_Bhas substantially more time to measure femto AP <b>130</b> signaling on multiple occasions; therefore, probability of a successful measurement and attachment is substantially higher.

0050As discussed above, passerby subscriber stations can perform pilot measurements, or scans, in active mode, e.g., during a call or data session. Fast moving mobiles served by macro network(s) are substantially less like to attempt handover to a femto AP with a duty cycle substantially below 100%, e.g., “always-on” operation. Since femto AP operation at a nearly-OFF power substantially mitigates attachment signaling by substantially confining femto cell coverage to a smaller area. Reduction of attachment signaling associated with handover in an active call or data session can reduce signaling system #7 (SS7) signaling load and improve network operation. As illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref>, it should be appreciated that utilization of transmitter power gating can further reduce macro-to-femto handover signaling, particularly of slow-moving subscriber units, with ensuing preservation of femto radio resources.

0051<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref> illustrates a pilot gating reuse plan that reduces a number of femto APs that can participate in macro-to-femto handover. Diagram <b>400</b> illustrates example transmitter power profiles <b>405</b>_J-<b>405</b>_J+3associated, respectively, with femto cell AP_J-AP_J+3, which are identified at least in part through a scrambling code (SC) χ (e.g., a primary synchronization code, or a secondary synchronization code for femto cells that operate in a third generation network environment). It should be appreciated that while in example diagram <b>400</b> power profiles <b>405</b>_J-<b>405</b>_J+3are periodic with a same period and duty cycle, and have a same power depth ΔP=P_MAX−P_MIN, with a common P_MAX<b>415</b> and P_MIN<b>425</b>, and ramp-up/down slopes as well, disparate femto access points that share a cell ID can have disparate power gating profiles. In addition, it should be noted that the feature of power profiles <b>405</b>_J-<b>405</b>_J+3of a first femto AP powers down as a second femto AP sets P_MAX(see instants sequence <b>411</b>₁-<b>411</b>₄) can be partially relaxed through utilization of different duty cycles while it is ensured that disparate femto APs transmit at P_MAX<b>415</b> at disparate time intervals. For example, femto AP_J+3<b>405</b>_J+3can power down at a time earlier than τ₁<b>411</b>₁, while AP_Jramps power up at τ₁<b>411</b>₁. In an aspect of the subject innovation, reuse planning component <b>216</b> can determine a power profile for each femto AP with a common cell ID.

0052Signaling gating profiles <b>405</b>_J-<b>405</b>_J+3distinguish each of femto cells AP_J-AP_J+3even though such femto cells can share a cell ID provided at least in part by SC χ. Such distinction provides at least two advantages: (i) Mitigation of signaling load and improvement of macro cell capacity since macro-to-femto a handover request posed by a mobile station, and processed by a femto cell, are less likely to be directed to multiple femto APs at substantially the same time. (ii) Broadened femto cell ID scope. As a result, various femto cell operations like synchronization and location services can be improved.

0053In addition, it should be appreciated that in wireless networks like third generation UMTS networks, femto cell ID or home Node B identification relies on a limited supply of scrambling codes (e.g., Zhadoff-Chu sequences applied to a primary and a secondary synchronization channels). Thus, in a highly dense packing of femto cell APs typically due to limited macro neighbor space, adequate identification of femto cells can be difficult, particularly for conducting handover and associated measurements to determine which femto cell can best service a mobile upon handover. Distinction of femto cell APs through power gating profile can afford creation and management of “virtual neighbors,” which are clusters of multiple femto access points, that can be employed to identify and execute macro-to-femto handover to a correct physical femto AP for a femto subscriber.

0054Diagram <b>450</b> illustrates the advantage of distinguishing femto cell APs through pilot gating reuse within a handover scenario. In an aspect of the subject innovation, mobile station <b>460</b>, which is served by Node B <b>470</b> through a macro radio link <b>475</b>, measures pilot signal from femto APs as part of a macro-to-femto handover procedure and reports, e.g., to a network management component (e.g., a femto cell gateway; not shown), strong signaling from a set of neighboring femto AP. In diagram <b>450</b>, femto cell APs <b>480</b>_J-<b>480</b>_J+3share scrambling code SC x, whereas remaining illustrated yet not labeled femto APs have disparate scrambling codes. Since femto cells (e.g., <b>480</b>_J-<b>480</b>_J+3) are further distinguished through pilot gating profiles (e.g., <b>405</b>_j-<b>405</b>_J+3), a time at which measurements (e.g., a scan) are conducted by UE <b>460</b> can be included in the mobile's report. Therefore, the network management component can employ a known pilot gating reuse plan to ascertain a set of femto cells that are probed (e.g., scanned) by UE <b>460</b>; for example, a set of femto cells {AP_J+1<b>480</b>_J+<b>1</b>} which comprise four femto APs in diagram <b>450</b>. Thus, network management component can direct handover to such optimal femto cells rather than to a larger set of neighboring femto cells, which include AP_J<b>480</b>_J, AP_J+2<b>480</b>_J+2, and AP_J+3<b>480</b>_J+3among other cells, reducing the subspace of failed handover realization from 14, the set of femto APs <b>480</b>_J-<b>480</b>_J+3with scrambling code SC χ, to four. It should be appreciated that in a deployment of 10³-10⁶femto cells, a power gating with duty cycle of 33% can substantially reduce the number of possible femto cells to which handover can be directed to. It is to be appreciated that deployment density of femto cells is substantially larger than deployment density of macro Node Bs.

0055<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref> is a block diagram of an example system <b>500</b> that facilitates provision of a schedule plan for a gated pilot signal in a femto cell. In system <b>500</b>, a gating schedule <b>505</b> can be entered through a management interface <b>510</b> and provided to a femto access point <b>520</b>. As discussed above, gating schedule <b>505</b> can include power depth ΔP=P_MAX−P_MIN, duty cycle, period Δτ, ramp-up/down slopes, and so forth. A subscriber who activates or configures femto access point <b>520</b> can be presented, via management interface <b>510</b>, with an opportunity to provide gating schedules for disparate authorized subscribers or wireless devices that can be served by femto access point <b>520</b>. A service provider can facilitate a privacy policy with respect to utilization of subscriber-issued gating schedules, and a privacy editor (not shown) as part of management interface <b>510</b> for the subscriber to modify at least in part the privacy policy.

0056Provision of a subscriber-issued gating schedule has at least two advantages. First, it provides energy conscious subscriber(s) with an opportunity to optimize power setting(s) of the femto AP (e.g., femto AP <b>130</b>). Second, for business subscribers, determination of a customized gating schedule mitigates after-hours utilization of the femto AP within business premises; e.g., employee(s) downloads music, or browses social networking sites after end of business day. In addition, for home subscribers, a custom gating schedule can ensure end users within the household do not access femto cell resources at predetermined times, e.g., online gaming can be disabled from 11:00 p-7:00 a or during homework hours of school-age children; video-streaming during specific hours, etc. It should be appreciated that gating schedule <b>505</b> can be at least a portion of an access list (not shown), or a white list (not shown). Updates to subscriber-issued gating schedule(s) that affects subscribers associated with a specific white list(s) (e.g., employees' of a business, or members of a household) can be notified to the subscribers via email, instant message, short message service (SMS) communication, multimedia message service (MMS) communication, and the like.

0057It should be appreciated that white list(s) is an instrument (e.g., a component) for management of access to femto cell coverage or service. White list(s) facilitates femto access authorization, prioritization and revocation of subscriber(s) or subscriber station(s). As an example, white list(s) comprises wireless mobile station numbers approved for coverage through femto access point <b>130</b>. It is to be noted that substantially any identification token(s), label(s), or code(s) that identify a subscriber station can be employed. White list(s) (not shown) can be stored in a data storage (e.g., in a memory) within femto AP <b>520</b>, or memory <b>540</b>, or substantially any memory or storage component available to a service provider.

0058It should be noted that white list(s) and gating schedule(s) can mutually complement or supplement functionalities. For example, pilot signal power gating provided by gating schedule <b>505</b> can synergistically benefit operation of femto access point <b>520</b> as configured via a white list. As another example, white list(s) can establish parameters that control femto AP <b>520</b> utilization such as the following. (i) Temporary access, e.g., full access for a specific time interval such as days or hours. (ii) Access only within a window of time in a day (voice and data allowed from 9:00 a-6:00 p, or voice allowed after 9:00 p, which can facilitate billing schemes already established by an operator/service provider). (iii) Access to specific applications like scheduler, calendar(s), news streaming, authoring tools, gaming, video and music, etc.

0059In an aspect of the subject innovation, management interface <b>510</b> can be a web-based online graphic user interface (GUI). However, it should be appreciated that it is possible to utilize other networked interfaces to configure information related to pilot signal power gating or substantially any other operation of femto AP <b>520</b> (e.g., femto AP address, authorized subscriber station number(s), add-on feature selection(s), etc.). Examples of alternative, or additional, management interface <b>510</b> are the following: voice or sound commanded interface(s), touch commanded interface(s), biometric commanded interfaces(s), and the like.

0060A pilot gating platform <b>530</b> can receive gating schedule <b>505</b> and store it in memory <b>540</b>. Pilot gating platform <b>530</b> has substantially the same functionality of pilot gating platform <b>210</b>. It should be appreciated that a set of one or more gating schedules <b>535</b> associated with disparate femto access points, or with various wireless devices that can be served through femto access point <b>520</b>, can be stored in memory <b>540</b>. It is to be noted that even though gating schedules <b>535</b> are stored externally with respect to pilot gating platform <b>530</b>, such platform can also retain the gating schedules <b>535</b>. In an aspect of the subject innovation, gating schedules <b>535</b> can be pre-configured with a model, updatable gating schedule. Additionally, pre-configured gating schedules can be stored as part of pre-populated access list(s), white list(s).

0061In view of the example systems described above, example methodologies that can be implemented in accordance with the disclosed subject matter can be better appreciated with reference to flowcharts in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 6-10</figref>. For purposes of simplicity of explanation, example methodologies disclosed herein are presented and described as a series of acts; however, it is to be understood and appreciated that the claimed subject matter is not limited by the order of acts, as some acts may occur in different orders and/or concurrently with other acts from that shown and described herein. For example, a methodology disclosed herein could alternatively be represented as a series of interrelated states or events, such as in a state diagram. Moreover, interaction diagram(s) may represent methodologies in accordance with the disclosed subject matter when disparate entities enact disparate portions of the methodologies. Furthermore, not all illustrated acts may be required to implement a methodology in accordance with the subject specification. It should be further appreciated that the methodologies disclosed throughout the subject specification are capable of being stored on an article of manufacture to facilitate transporting and transferring such methodologies to computers for execution by a processor or for storage in a memory.

0062<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref> presents a flowchart of an example methodology <b>600</b> for activating and deactivating signaling of a femto cell. At act <b>610</b>, a pilot signal of a femto cell AP (e.g., femto AP <b>130</b>) is gated based at least in part on a pilot signal power time-dependent profile (e.g., profiles <b>250</b>), or pilot gating profile. Such profile can be periodic or non-periodic, and generally presents a duty cycle substantially below 100%. Disparate femto cell APs can posses distinctive pilot signal power profiles which can be employed for cell identification purposes in addition to cell ID codes (e.g., scrambling codes) or tokens, such as LAC or RAC. The distinctive pilot signal power profiles can be reused, as a phase for identification scrambling sequences. Additionally, disparate authorized (e.g., “whitelisted”) subscribers can have disparate pilot profile depth (e.g., AP) based at least in part on their preferred femto coverage area to exploit femto cell signal and traffic. In addition, pilot signal power can be adjusted according to channel signal strength (e.g., received/measured channel quality indicators (CQIs)). Pilot signal power profile can be predetermined by a femto service provider based on customer information, such a business intelligence (e.g., demographics, additional services contracted by customer), or wireless devices intended to be served by the femto cell AP; e.g., MIMO-capable devices can employ a pilot power profile for each transceiver. At act <b>620</b>, the gated pilot signal is conveyed.

0063<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref> presents a flowchart of an example methodology <b>700</b> for generating a pilot signal power profile. In an aspect of the subject innovation, the subject example methodology can be employed in conjunction with example methodology <b>600</b>. At act <b>710</b>, a femto AP usage schedule is generated. In an aspect of the subject innovation, such schedule can be generated through historic attachment data (e.g., attachment data <b>226</b>). Moreover, a gating profile for the femto cell AP can be provided and managed (e.g., customized, updated) by an owner subscriber; for example, a subscriber can generate schedules or pilot gating profiles for disparate authorized (e.g., “whitelisted”) subscribers based at least in part on their planned femto cell AP utilization schedules. In an aspect, usage schedules can be provided through a web-based interface (e.g., management interface <b>510</b>). At act <b>720</b>, power of a pilot signal is adjusted according, at least in part, to the generated femto cell usage schedule.

0064<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8</figref> is a flowchart of an example methodology <b>800</b> for adjusting a pilot signal gating schedule in response to mobility attachment data. In an aspect, the subject example methodology can be utilized in conjunction with example methodologies <b>600</b> and <b>700</b>. Example methodology <b>800</b> illustrates generation of a pilot gating profile in response to attachment data associated with mobile station(s) served by a femto cell. For example, presence or absence of a subscriber station in the femto cell can be monitored through mobility records stored in a memory (e.g., a VLR retained in a volatile or nonvolatile memory). Based at least in part on such information, pilot signal gating schedule can be adjusted.

0065At act <b>810</b>, a power of a pilot signal of a femto cell AP is set to a first power level (e.g, P_MIN<b>425</b>). At act <b>820</b>, the presence or absence of user equipment in the femto cell is probed by checking whether the UE is attached. In the affirmative case, power of the pilot signal is increased to a second power level (e.g., P_MAX<b>415</b>) and flow is directed to act <b>850</b>. Conversely, power of the pilot signal is retained at the first level and flow is directed to act <b>820</b>. Act <b>850</b> is a validation act that probes whether the UE has detached. Upon detachment, the power is the pilot signal is reset to the first power level at act <b>860</b> and flow is directed to act <b>820</b>. Conversely, power of the pilot signal is retained at the second power level at act <b>870</b>, and flow is directed to act <b>850</b>.

0066<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9</figref> is a flowchart of an example methodology <b>900</b> for generating a schedule plan for pilot gating in response to mobility attachment data. This example methodology can be utilized in conjunction with substantially any example methodology described in the subject specification. At act <b>910</b>, mobility attachment event(s) associated with a set of mobile stations attached, or handed over, from macro cell to femto cell are tracked. In an aspect, tracking can be implemented through a dedicated tracking component <b>214</b>. At act <b>920</b>, the attachment event(s) is retained. In an aspect, such event(s) can be retained in a Visitor Location Register (VLR) or substantially any other memory like attachment data <b>226</b> in memory <b>218</b>. It should be appreciated that act <b>920</b> can facilitate, at least in part, enacting act <b>910</b>, wherein tracking can include accessing the VLR. At act <b>930</b>, a profile of attachment to the femto cell AP for a mobile station in the set of mobile stations to the femto cell can be inferred, or learned, based at least in part on the retained attachment event(s). In an aspect of the subject innovation, inferring, or learning, can be based at leas in part on various machine-learning methods and/or artificial intelligence methods disclosed hereinbefore in connection with aspects of schedule component <b>215</b>. At act <b>940</b>, a schedule plan, or usage schedule, for the femto cell is generated based at least in part on the inferred, or learned, attachment event(s) profile.

0067<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10</figref> presents a flowchart of an example methodology <b>1000</b> for resolving handover of a subscriber station from a macro cell to a femto cell through pilot gating reuse. In an aspect of the subject innovation, a network management component (e.g., a femto cell gateway component within a wireless core network) can implement example methodology. At act <b>1010</b> a pilot reuse plan for a set of femto cell access points is established. In an aspect, a reuse planning component <b>216</b> determines the reuse plan. Such reuse plan can by dynamic, with variations entered as a function of time. It is to be noted that reuse planning component <b>216</b> can also implement other type of reuse plans, or strategies, like frequency planning.

0068At act <b>1020</b>, a report on channel condition(s) is received for a set of femto cells access points. In an aspect, the report is generated through measurement(s) of radio link (e.g., link <b>135</b>) signal strength conducted by a subscriber station. The report typically conveys a channel quality indicator (CQI), even though other information can be contained in the report such as reference signal over thermal noise values, and so forth. It should be appreciated that radio link, or channel, conditions are periodically or aperiodically measured by subscriber station(s) for various operational purposes; e.g., determination of interference levels, channel selection, power allocation, etc.

0069At act <b>1030</b>, a request is received for macro-to-femto handover of a subscriber station. Such a request is typically conveyed through macro network management component like a radio network controller in UMTS network(s). However, it should be appreciated that such a request can be set forth by the subscriber station (e.g., UE <b>120</b>_A) in an attempt to attach on-demand with a specific femto cell. At act <b>1040</b>, a set of femto cell APs that share a cell ID is identified. Such cell ID can be a predetermined scrambling sequence (e.g., a Zhadoff-Chu sequence).

0070At act <b>1050</b>, a pilot gating reuse plan is exploited to refine the identified set of femto cell APs. In an aspect, a network management component (not shown), via a reuse planning component <b>216</b>, for example, identifies one or more femto APs (e.g., AP_J+1<b>480</b>_J+1) which had active pilot signal (e.g., pilot profile in duty cycle) when the subscriber station conducted a radio link scan, or channel measurements. It should be appreciated that the identification of such APs with an active pilot relies at least in part upon a time(s) when the subscriber station communicated a channel measurement report relative to known edges of pilot signal activity/inactivity cycle; e.g., τ₁<b>411</b>₁, τ₂<b>411</b>₂, τ₃<b>411</b>₃, or τ₄<b>411</b>₄. In a scenario wherein the mobile channel condition(s) report is substantially near, or during, a pilot activity/inactivity edge (e.g., τ₂<b>411</b>₂), multiple femto cell APs within at least two pilot gating phases (e.g., <b>405</b>_J-<b>405</b>_J+3) can be regarded as members of the refined set of femto cells. At act <b>1060</b>, a femto cell AP that can serve the subscriber station is identified within the refined set of femto cell APs. In an aspect, such identification can be based at least in part on an access list (e.g., a white list) of wireless devices authorized to be served by a femto cell AP. At act <b>1070</b>, the requested macro-to-femto handover for the subscriber station and the identified femto cell AP is resolved; e.g., accepted/rejected and executed.

0071To provide further context for various aspects of the subject specification, <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 11 and 12</figref> illustrate, respectively, an example wireless communication environment <b>1100</b>, with associated components for operation of a femto cell, and a block diagram of an example embodiment <b>1200</b> of a femto access point which can transmit pilot signal(s) in accordance with aspects described herein.

0072Wireless communication environment <b>1100</b> includes two wireless network platforms: (i) A macro network platform <b>1110</b> which serves, or facilitates communication) with user equipment <b>1175</b> via a macro radio access network (RAN) <b>1170</b>. It should be appreciated that in cellular wireless technologies (e.g., 3GPP UMTS, HSPA, 3GPP LTE, 3GPP UMB), macro network platform <b>1110</b> is embodied in a Core Network. (ii) A femto network platform <b>1180</b>, which can provide communication with UE <b>1175</b> through a femto RAN <b>1190</b> linked to the femto network platform <b>1180</b> via backhaul pipe(s) <b>1185</b>, wherein backhaul pipe(s) are substantially the same a backhaul link <b>140</b>. It should be appreciated that femto network platform <b>1180</b> typically offloads UE <b>1175</b> from macro network, once UE <b>1175</b> attaches (e.g., through macro-to-femto handover, or via a scan of channel resources in idle mode) to femto RAN.

0073It is noted that RAN includes base station(s), or access point(s), and its associated electronic circuitry and deployment site(s), in addition to a wireless radio link operated in accordance with the base station(s). Accordingly, macro RAN <b>1170</b> can comprise various coverage cells like cell <b>105</b>, while femto RAN <b>1190</b> can comprise multiple femto cell access points. As mentioned above, it is to be appreciated that deployment density in femto RAN <b>1190</b> is substantially higher than in macro RAN <b>1170</b>.

0074Generally, both macro and femto network platforms <b>1110</b> and <b>1180</b> include components, e.g., nodes, gateways, interfaces, servers, or platforms, that facilitate both packet-switched (PS) (e.g., internet protocol (IP), frame relay, asynchronous transfer mode (ATM)) and circuit-switched (CS) traffic (e.g., voice and data) and control generation for networked wireless communication. In an aspect of the subject innovation, macro network platform <b>1110</b> includes CS gateway node(s) <b>1112</b> which can interface CS traffic received from legacy networks like telephony network(s) <b>1140</b> (e.g., public switched telephone network (PSTN), or public land mobile network (PLMN)) or a SS7 network <b>1160</b>. Circuit switched gateway <b>1112</b> can authorize and authenticate traffic (e.g., voice) arising from such networks. Additionally, CS gateway <b>1112</b> can access mobility, or roaming, data generated through SS7 network <b>1160</b>; for instance, mobility data stored in a VLR, which can reside in memory <b>1130</b>. Moreover, CS gateway node(s) <b>1112</b> interfaces CS-based traffic and signaling and gateway node(s) <b>1118</b>. As an example, in a 3GPP UMTS network, gateway node(s) <b>218</b> can be embodied in gateway GPRS support node(s) (GGSN).

0075In addition to receiving and processing CS-switched traffic and signaling, gateway node(s) <b>1118</b> can authorize and authenticate PS-based data sessions with served (e.g., through macro RAN) wireless devices. Data sessions can include traffic exchange with networks external to the macro network platform <b>1110</b>, like wide area network(s) (WANs) <b>1150</b>; it should be appreciated that local area network(s) (LANs) can also be interfaced with macro network platform <b>1110</b> through gateway node(s) <b>1118</b>. Gateway node(s) <b>1118</b> generates packet data contexts when a data session is established. To that end, in an aspect, gateway node(s) <b>1118</b> can include a tunnel interface (e.g., tunnel termination gateway (TTG) in 3GPP UMTS network(s); not shown) which can facilitate packetized communication with disparate wireless network(s), such as Wi-Fi networks. It should be further appreciated that the packetized communication can include multiple flows that can be generated through server(s) <b>1114</b>. It is to be noted that in 3GPP UMTS network(s), gateway node(s) <b>1118</b> (e.g., GGSN) and tunnel interface (e.g., TTG) comprise a packet data gateway (PDG).

0076Macro network platform <b>1110</b> also includes serving node(s) <b>1116</b> that convey the various packetized flows of information, or data streams, received through gateway node(s) <b>1118</b>. As an example, in a 3GPP UMTS network, serving node(s) can be embodied in serving GPRS support node(s) (SGSN).

0077As indicated above, server(s) <b>1114</b> in macro network platform <b>1110</b> can execute numerous applications (e.g., location services, online gaming, wireless banking, wireless device management . . . ) that generate multiple disparate packetized data streams or flows, and manage (e.g., schedule, queue, format . . . ) such flows. Such application(s), for example can include add-on features to standard services provided by macro network platform <b>1110</b>. Data streams can be conveyed to gateway node(s) <b>1118</b> for authorization/authentication and initiation of a data session, and to serving node(s) <b>1116</b> for communication thereafter. Server(s) <b>1114</b> can also effect security (e.g., implement one or more firewalls) of macro network platform <b>1110</b> to ensure network's operation and data integrity in addition to authorization and authentication procedures that CS gateway node(s) <b>1112</b> and gateway node(s) <b>1118</b> can enact. Moreover, server(s) <b>1114</b> can provision services from external network(s), e.g, WAN <b>1150</b>, or Global Positioning System (GPS) network(s) (not shown). It is to be noted that server(s) <b>1114</b> can include one or more processor configured to confer at least in part the functionality of macro network platform <b>1110</b>. To that end, the one or more processor can execute code instructions stored in memory <b>1130</b>, for example.

0078In example wireless environment <b>1100</b>, memory <b>1130</b> stores information related to operation of macro network platform <b>1110</b>. Information can include business data associated with subscribers; market plans and strategies, e.g., promotional campaigns, business partnerships; operational data for mobile devices served through macro network platform; service and privacy policies; end-user service logs for law enforcement; and so forth. Memory <b>1130</b> can also store information from at least one of telephony network(s) <b>1140</b>, WAN(s) <b>1150</b>, or SS7 network <b>1160</b>.

0079Regarding femto network platform <b>1180</b>, it includes pilot gating platform <b>1120</b>, which can operate in accordance with aspects and features described in the subject specification in connection with pilot gating platform <b>210</b>. While illustrated as external to femto gateway node(s) <b>1184</b>, it should be appreciated that pilot gating platform <b>1120</b> can be an integral part of gateway node(s) <b>1184</b>.

0080Femto gateway node(s) <b>1184</b> have substantially the same functionality as PS gateway node(s) <b>1118</b>. Additionally, femto gateway node(s) <b>1184</b> can also include substantially all functionality of serving node(s) <b>1116</b>. In an aspect, femto gateway node(s) <b>1184</b> facilitates handover resolution, e.g., assessment and execution,

0081Server(s) <b>1182</b> have substantially the same functionality as described in connection with server(s) <b>1114</b>. In an aspect, server(s) <b>1182</b> can execute multiple application(s) that provide service (e.g., voice and data) to wireless devices served through femto RAN <b>1190</b>. Server(s) <b>1182</b> can also provide security features to femto network platform. In addition, server(s) <b>1182</b> can manage (e.g., schedule, queue, format . . . ) substantially all packetized flows (e.g., IP-based, frame relay-based, ATM-based) it generates in addition to data received from macro network platform <b>1110</b>. It is to be noted that server(s) <b>1182</b> can include one or more processor configured to confer at least in part the functionality of macro network platform <b>1110</b>. To that end, the one or more processor can execute code instructions stored in memory <b>1186</b>, for example.

0082Memory <b>1186</b> can include information relevant to operation of the various components of femto network platform <b>1180</b>. For example operational information that can be stored in memory <b>1186</b> can comprise, but is not limited to, subscriber information; contracted services; maintenance and service records; femto cell configuration (e.g., pilot gating schedule(s) <b>222</b>, attachment data <b>226</b>, devices served through femto RAN <b>1190</b>; access control lists, or white lists); service policies and specifications; privacy policies; add-on features; and so forth.

0083With respect to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 12</figref>, in example embodiment <b>1200</b>, femto cell AP <b>1210</b> can receive and transmit signal(s) (e.g., traffic and control signals) from and to wireless devices, access terminals, wireless ports and routers, etc., through a set of antennas <b>1269</b>₁-<b>1269</b>_N. It should be appreciated that while antennas <b>1269</b>₁-<b>1269</b>_Nare a part of communication platform <b>1225</b>, which comprises electronic components and associated circuitry that provides for processing and manipulating of received signal(s) (e.g., a packet flow) and signal(s) (e.g., a broadcast control channel) to be transmitted. In an aspect, communication platform <b>1225</b> includes a transmitter/receiver (e.g., a transceiver) <b>1266</b> that can convert signal(s) from analog format to digital format upon reception, and from digital format to analog format upon transmission. In addition, receiver/transmitter <b>1266</b> can divide a single data stream into multiple, parallel data streams, or perform the reciprocal operation. Coupled to transceiver <b>1266</b> is a multiplexer/demultiplexer <b>1267</b> that facilitates manipulation of signal in time and frequency space. Electronic component <b>1267</b> can multiplex information (data/traffic and control/signaling) according to various multiplexing schemes such as time division multiplexing (TDM), frequency division multiplexing (FDM), orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM), code division multiplexing (CDM), space division multiplexing (SDM). In addition, mux/demux component <b>1267</b> can scramble and spread information (e.g., codes) according to substantially any code known in the art; e.g., Hadamard-Walsh codes, Baker codes, Kasami codes, polyphase codes, and so on. A modulator/demodulator <b>1268</b> is also a part of operational group <b>1225</b>, and can modulate information according to multiple modulation techniques, such as frequency modulation, amplitude modulation (e.g., M-ary quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM), with M a positive integer), phase-shift keying (PSK), and the like.

0084Femto access point <b>1210</b> also includes a processor <b>1245</b> configured to confer functionality, at least partially, to substantially any electronic component in the femto access point <b>1210</b>, in accordance with aspects of the subject innovation. In particular, processor <b>1245</b> can facilitate femto AP <b>1210</b> to implement configuration instructions received through communication platform <b>1225</b>, which can include storing data in memory <b>1255</b>. In addition, processor <b>1245</b> facilitates femto AP <b>1210</b> to process data (e.g., symbols, bits, or chips) for multiplexing/demultiplexing, such as effecting direct and inverse fast Fourier transforms, selection of modulation rates, selection of data packet formats, inter-packet times, etc. Moreover, processor <b>1245</b> can manipulate antennas <b>1269</b>₁-<b>1269</b>_Nto provide distinct pilot signal gating; facilitate beamforming or selective radiation pattern formation, which can benefit specific locations (e.g., basement, home office . . . ) covered by femto AP; and exploit substantially any other advantages associated with smart-antenna technology. Memory <b>1255</b> can store data structures, code instructions, system or device information like device identification codes (e.g., IMEI, MSISDN, serial number . . . ) and specification such as multimode capabilities; code sequences for scrambling; spreading and pilot transmission, floor plan configuration, access point deployment and frequency plans; and so on. Moreover, memory <b>1255</b> can store configuration information such as schedules (e.g., gating schedule(s) <b>222</b>) and policies; femto AP address(es) or geographical indicator(s); acces lists (e.g., white lists); license(s) for utilization of add-features for femto AP <b>1210</b>, and so forth.

0085In embodiment <b>1200</b>, processor <b>1245</b> is coupled to the memory <b>1255</b> in order to store and retrieve information necessary to operate and/or confer functionality to communication platform <b>1225</b>, broadband network interface <b>1235</b> (e.g., a broadband modem), and other operational components (e.g., multimode chipset(s), power supply sources . . . ; not shown) that support femto access point <b>1210</b>.

0086It is to be noted that aspects, features, or advantages of the subject innovation described in the subject specification can be exploited in substantially any wireless communication technology. For instance, Wi-Fi, WiMAX, Enhanced GPRS, 3GPP LTE, 3GPP2 UMB, 3GPP UMTS, HSPA, or Zigbee. Additionally, substantially all aspects of the subject innovation as disclosed in the subject specification can be exploited in legacy telecommunication technologies; e.g., GSM.

0087In addition, it is to be noted that the various aspects disclosed in the subject specification can also be implemented through (i) program modules stored in a computer-readable storage medium or memory (e.g., memory <b>1186</b> or memory <b>1255</b>) and executed by a processor (e.g., processor <b>1245</b>), or (ii) other combination(s) of hardware and software, or hardware and firmware.

0088As it employed in the subject specification, the term “processor” can refer to substantially any computing processing unit or device comprising, but not limited to comprising, single-core processors; single-processors with software multithread execution capability; multi-core processors; multi-core processors with software multithread execution capability; multi-core processors with hardware multithread technology; parallel platforms; and parallel platforms with distributed shared memory. Additionally, a processor can refer to an integrated circuit, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a digital signal processor (DSP), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), a programmable logic controller (PLC), a complex programmable logic device (CPLD), a discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. Processors can exploit nano-scale architectures such as, but not limited to, molecular and quantum-dot based transistors, switches and gates, in order to optimize space usage or enhance performance of user equipment. A processor may also be implemented as a combination of computing processing units.

0089In the subject specification, terms such as “data store,” data storage,” “database,” and substantially any other information storage component relevant to operation and functionality of a component, refer to “memory components,” or entities embodied in a “memory” or components comprising the memory. It will be appreciated that the memory components, or computer-readable storage media, described herein can be either volatile memory or nonvolatile memory, or can include both volatile and nonvolatile memory.

0090By way of illustration, and not limitation, nonvolatile memory can include read only memory (ROM), programmable ROM (PROM), electrically programmable ROM (EPROM), electrically erasable ROM (EEPROM), or flash memory. Volatile memory can include random access memory (RAM), which acts as external cache memory. By way of illustration and not limitation, RAM is available in many forms such as synchronous RAM (SRAM), dynamic RAM (DRAM), synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), double data rate SDRAM (DDR SDRAM), enhanced SDRAM (ESDRAM), Synchlink DRAM (SLDRAM), and direct Rambus RAM (DRRAM). Additionally, the disclosed memory components of systems or methods herein are intended to comprise, without being limited to comprising, these and any other suitable types of memory.

0091Various aspects or features described herein may be implemented as a method, apparatus, or article of manufacture using standard programming and/or engineering techniques. The term “article of manufacture” as used herein is intended to encompass a computer program accessible from any computer-readable device, carrier, or media. For example, computer readable media can include but are not limited to magnetic storage devices (e.g., hard disk, floppy disk, magnetic strips . . . ), optical disks (e.g., compact disk (CD), digital versatile disk (DVD) . . . ), smart cards, and flash memory devices (e.g., card, stick, key drive . . . ).

0092What has been described above includes examples of systems and methods that provide advantages of the subject innovation. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the subject innovation, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimed subject matter are possible. Furthermore, to the extent that the terms “includes,” “has,” “possesses,” and the like are used in the detailed description, claims, appendices and drawings such terms are intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.